Braves’ Jurickson Profar Leaves WBC Teammates Stunned with Sudden Departure After Suspension

The Atlanta Braves and Jurickson Profar were hit with shocking news as the outfielder was handed a 162-game suspension after testing positive for exogenous testosterone, a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension not only rules Profar out for the entire 2026 MLB season but also means he will miss the World Baseball Classic (WBC), where he had been set to play for Team Netherlands.

Profar’s Sudden Departure Stuns WBC Teammates

Just hours before Team Netherlands was set to play an exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 3, Profar learned of his suspension. The news caused an immediate and dramatic reaction inside the clubhouse. According to The Athletic’s Chad Jennings, Profar abruptly left Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida, leaving his WBC teammates stunned and the coaching staff scrambling to adjust.

“I heard of it 10 minutes before we started the game,” said Andruw Jones, the manager of Team Netherlands. “On our side, it was disappointing because we were counting highly on him to be a part of this team for this tournament.” Despite Profar’s unexpected absence, Team Netherlands managed to secure an 8-5 win over the Orioles.

Profar’s Suspension Marks His Second PED Violation

This suspension is a particularly crushing blow for Profar, marking his second PED violation in less than two years. In 2025, he was handed an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a substance often used to stimulate testosterone production. This time, however, the violation is more severe, as the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program mandates a 162-game suspension for a second offense, effectively ending his 2026 season.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for the Braves, who had signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million contract ahead of the 2025 season. The 2026 suspension means Profar will forfeit his entire $15 million salary for the upcoming season, leaving the Braves with a significant hole to fill in their lineup.

The Aftermath: Profar’s Locker Cleared at Braves Camp

The news quickly reverberated through the Braves’ spring training camp. Yahoo Sports’ Jake Mintz described the scene at the clubhouse, where Profar’s locker was found stripped of all his belongings: no bats, no cleats, no gloves—nothing to suggest he had ever been there. Even the nameplate above his cubby had been removed, marking the swift end to his tenure with the Braves and the beginning of what seems to be an uncertain future for the player.

“For the second time in less than a year, Profar had become less than a ghost,” Mintz wrote. This sudden disappearance has left both his teammates and coaches processing the shock of his suspension and departure.

Manager Walt Weiss Reacts to the News

Braves manager Walt Weiss expressed his disappointment after hearing the news, admitting that it caught him off guard. “Yeah, look, I mean, obviously disappointed,” Weiss said. “I found out about 10 minutes before it got announced, maybe five minutes. So still processing a lot of this.” The Braves are now left to manage without one of their key offseason acquisitions, as they try to move forward in a season that’s now marked by Profar’s absence.

Profar’s Absence Impact on Team Netherlands in the WBC

The fallout from Profar’s suspension stretches beyond just the Braves. Team Netherlands, which had counted on the veteran outfielder to play a leadership role in the WBC, now has to move forward without him. Profar’s absence leaves a significant hole in their lineup just days before their first official game on March 6 against Venezuela at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

For a team hoping to make a strong run in the tournament, losing a player of Profar’s experience is a substantial blow. His leadership and offensive ability were expected to be crucial, but now Team Netherlands must adjust and prepare for the WBC without one of their key contributors.

The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Jurickson Profar?

For Jurickson Profar, the next steps are unclear. With his suspension for the 2026 season, the immediate future of his career is uncertain. The Braves will need to decide how to replace his bat and defensive presence in the outfield, while Profar will have to rebuild his career after facing his second PED violation.

The timing of the suspension is especially challenging for both Profar and the Braves, as they now face the task of navigating the season without a player they had expected to rely on. For Profar, his absence from the WBC further compounds the frustration of the situation, as he loses the opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage as well.

As the baseball world continues to process the implications of this news, both the Braves and Team Netherlands will need to adjust their plans for 2026 without Jurickson Profar in the fold. His sudden departure has left a significant gap, one that will need to be filled if both the Braves and Team Netherlands hope to succeed in their respective campaigns this year.